Steve Harvey Shows Gentle But Tough Love Mentoring Fatherless Young Men in Army Camp: 'You Got It In You' (Exclusive)

11/14/2024 03:00 PM

"You have to master discipline if you want to be successful," Harvey says as the teens break out into pushups

Steve Harvey is showing a different side of himself.

In PEOPLE's exclusive first look at Steve Harvey's Camp: Building Men, Inspiring Dreams ̶ A Dr. Phil's Merit TV Special, the Family Feud host, 67, takes his private passion for mentoring young fatherless men to the small screen.

According to the documentary's official logline, the special will showcase Harvey's weekend mentorship program at his private ranch in rural Georgia. There, he hosts 250 teens who have grown up without fathers in an effort to inspire them to become positive leaders in their communities and families.

Related: Living Out of His Car and Surviving on Bologna Sandwiches: Inside Steve Harvey's Struggle with Homelessness as He Tried to Make It as a Comedian

"For over 15 years, we have hosted the camp and provided father figures to thousands of young men, which would not be possible without volunteers who donate their time and partners who support our mission," Harvey says in a statement. "Through mentorship, these young men have received the tools to propel them both professionally and emotionally."

"Well, it has begun," the television personality tells cameras while teens undergo physical training with military officers. "You can already tell everybody's not pleased with the requirements, but that's the first thing we start with, is requirement."

"First thing we teach 'em is discipline. You got to be disciplined. You have to master discipline if you want to be successful," he continues as the young men begin a sequence of pushups.

Related: Steve Harvey on Parents Rejecting Their LGBT Children: 'I Would Never Stop Loving My Kid'

Noting how some of the kids aren't used to doing "pushups" and being outside, Harvey explains the camp's goals of keeping the teams active and away from their video games. When some individuals struggle to keep up with the amount of activity, Harvey gives the kids some much-needed motivation to push through.

"You going to make it," he says, putting his hand on a young man's shoulder.

As he goes down the line and sends encouragement, he stops on a teen who is having a tougher time and says, "Listen, it's going to be a little tough sometime, but you got it in you. God sent you here. We're going to take care of you, okay?"

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Steve Harvey's Camp: Building Men, Inspiring Dreams premiereson Dr. Phil's Merit TV on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 9 p.m. ET.